Ursula von der Leyen Photo: screenshot from the video
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Donald Trump’s universal tariffs a “blow to the global economy” and said the EU was preparing countermeasures.
Speaking in Samarkand ahead of the EU-Central Asia summit, von der Leyen said that Brussels is finalising the first package of retaliatory measures on steel duties and is ready to take further steps if the talks fail.
Trump announced the introduction of a minimum tariff of 10% on most imported goods, which provoked a new round of trade war. This, according to von der Leyen, will lead to higher inflation, higher prices for food, medicine and transport, which will hit the most vulnerable segments of the population.
She emphasised that the US and the EU have had a favourable trade relationship for decades, but recognised that the global trading system needs reform. “I agree with President Trump that some countries are using the rules unfairly. But there is a better way,” she added.
The EU will monitor the effects of US tariffs and will not allow “global overproduction” to bring down European markets. Brussels will also not tolerate price dumping.
Trump’s new duties include a 20% tariff on European goods, which has become another challenge for US-EU relations. The US president has repeatedly criticised the European Union, calling its creation an “attempt to deceive the United States”.
